My friend C. has been on the lookout recently for a handy mini cross-body bag. It totally inspired this post (and many more to come). From looking at high-end designer options to sourcing out for more affordable yet chic alternatives, it's all such an exciting process! It is what makes fashion and shopping fun.
So C. is really into the Balenciaga Mini Pompon as well as the Givenchy Micro Nightingale. The Pompon is a slouchy version of the classic bucket bag. I first saw Miley Cyrus toting it back in 2010 and I did consider it to be a very cool option for a casual bag.
Yup, that was the Miley I used to think was really stylish, with the Californian vibes in her dressing. But that's another story for another day. I loved the color of her Pompon (in Galet), which is a great classic color, and the giant gold studs really makes the bag pop. Ashlee Simpson has also been spotted with a black version of the bag.
C. is however into smaller bags these days, so the Mini Pompon would be more ideal for her.
I haven't seen the actual Mini Pompon yet, but I'm guessing it's rather tiny, with (rough) dimensions of Width 24cm, Height 24cm, Depth 16cm. Another factor to consider besides its size would be the weight, where one with the smaller classic studs would certainly be lighter than one with the giant studs.
The Givenchy Micro Nightingale
The Micro version of the widely coveted Nightingale is super cute! I tried it on at Givenchy located at Orchard Paragon. It's not something I would get for myself solely because of its size - I live in satchels and my PS1, but between the Balenciaga Pompon and this (tough choice), I'd go for the Nightingale because it is great for casual as well as slightly formal outfits.
(Shop the Givenchy Nightingale Micro on Bergdorf Goodman)
For the rest of you looking at mini bucket bags, you shouldn't forget the Louis Vuitton Noe BB.
(Fun fact: the bucket bag was created for the purpose of carrying champagne bottles in them, thus the drawstring closure and its long shape!)
The tinier version of the classic Noe bag, you can now opt for the rainbow colors of the Epi collection (5 yummy ones to choose from - my favorite has to be Citron or Cyan, but Fuchsia is so good too!) if you, like me, shy away from the logo-saturated designs. Jessica Chastain (above) is carrying the bag in Figue).
The two-toned ones are so lovely too!
(The Louis Vuitton Noe BB in Epi Leather retails for USD1,410.)
If your style is edgy but you want something outside of Balenciaga, you may wish to consider two of Alexander Wang's designs:
The Diego Bucket Bag has been on my wanted list for the longest time. I love the toughness of the look, and the best part is it comes in animal print, like the one Nicky Hilton is carrying (see below).
(Shop the Alexander Wang Diego Bucket Bag on Shopbop)
Studs ain't your thing? Try the Marion Shoulder Bag, provided you're looking for something pretty small in size. Personally you can't put much in it, but it's a great bag for just your keys, cellphone and some cash.
The Marion is structured with a boxy shape, giving any outfit a touch of edge with its hardware parts. See how Victoria Secrets' Angels Candice Swanepoel and Alessandra Ambrosio carries it with their day-to-day outfits.
(Shop the Alexander Wang Marion Shoulder Bag on Shopbop)
Chloe's Marcie bag (Fashion forward stars Lauren Conrad and Rachel Bilson have been seen with this It bag) now has several smaller versions, all of which are so tempting. The Marcie Mini Leather Shoulder Bag is roomy enough for all your daily essentials. I would definitely recommend this to Taylor Swift who has a love for saddle bags.
The bag comes in a studded version that's so me!
Chloe also gives fans of the full-sized Marcie bag a mini version for lazy days. Known as the Marcie Mini Satchel, this teeny-weeny bag is somewhat like the Alexander Wang Marion bag. How cute is that?!
(The Chloe Marcie Mini Satchel is available on Nordstrom)
One of my favorite contemporary designers (3.1) Phillip Lim has gotten me hooked over the Pashli Satchel. The bag comes in an ultra cute mini version!
Many will tend to compare this with the Celine Nano Luggage and you can't blame them. The similarities are rather striking, though that ends somewhere before you look at their price tags. Not something I'd pay for in that size (though I wouldn't hesitate to if it was within my league to do so), nonetheless I love how Nicky Hilton and Emma Roberts look instantly cool as they played up their casual looks with the iconic mini crossbody.
Back to Phillip Lim, a more bucket-shaped choice would be the Scout Small Crossbody Bag.
The bag reminds me of those of Alexander Wang's with the hardwared corners of the base, only that Phillip Lim stays true to his minimalism design concepts with the longer, cleaner lines of metal that are less edgy than Wang's. Though I'm not a fan of bucket bags, I'm pretty into the floral print on the Scout, as seen on Diane Kruger (below).
As much as I'm supportive of investing on pieces that can last you a lifetime, sometimes variety is what you're looking for. Especially when you need more than a single type of bag for the different occasions and uses, you are forced to be selective about the bags your bank account actually allows you to invest in. So if you're not ready to spend a fortune on a small cross-body bag that barely allows you carry about your daily essentials, take the following choices into consideration when looking for a well-sized sling bag which will give you the best bang for your buck without burning a hole in your pocket.
Fellow American designer Tory Burch included a classic bucket bag in her Robinson bag collection. The Robinson Drawstring Bucket Bag comes in versatile colors such as black and camel brown (a larger version as seen on Emmy Rossum, below) and fun ones such as teal. I love the classic look, it's gotta work with so many outfits in your wardrobe.
Celebrity stylist and now renowned designer Rachel Zoe has also launched a series of bags. The Kye Drawstring Bucket Bag features a double non-functional buckle-strap design, a signature of the Kye collection. While this bag would barely fall under the mini bag category as it is relatively larger than its counterparts discussed thus far, it's affordable price tag makes it worth a mention.
When discussing US labels, it's impossible to miss out Coach. Designer Reed Krakoff deserved all the credit for bringing the label to where it is now, and for giving us more affordable yet chic looking bags, especially the Madison and of course, the marvelous Legacy collection (both my favorites) before handing on the baton to Steve Vevers.
The Soft Legacy Drawstring Crossbody Bag in Pebbled Leather is such a fun option with the bright and bold color-blocking of the straps and logo tags. They are wider than they are tall/deep, which is different from your typical bucket bags that are reversed in these dimensional aspects. The size and it's unique colors make them one of the more outstanding options in the lot.
Coach also has the Legacy Flight Bag in Leather as an alternative for those looking within the label. It is more sophisticated, particularly with the clean design and chain strap, but functionally perfect with a separate zipped compartment on the outside - I can't live with bags without compartments.
(The Coach Legacy Flight Bag is available on Coach)
Loeffler Randall's Rider bag has got to be one of my favorites on this list. The structured, boxy shape and its pragmatic compartments make it such a unique yet chic cross-body bag. Not to mention the number of choices you have with the colors, print and material (color-block, mixed prints and suede included!). I love how Rachel Bilson brightens up a classic ensemble with a red Rider bag in a sophisticated shape. Emma Roberts punches up her casual shopping outfit with a floral-patterned mini version of the bag.
The Cambridge Satchel Company has the classic school-girl bag for those of you with an inner preppy school girl within. Apparently you can customize you own Cambridge Satchel with your name/initials embossed (that'll be 7GBP per letter, capped at 28GBP). I love how Lauren Conrad incorporated the bag into her sweet outfit.
And of course, there's the Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. and the Mini M.A.C. When I went to the States earlier this year, I got myself the Mini M.A.C. from Nordstrom. It was a tough choice deciding between the one in turquoise or the one in tangy red, but I went with the latter in the end. One of the most perfect mini-bags I've ever gotten. It's trendy, with a tad of hobo vibes with the fringed zippers and the giant clasp making a bold statement on the front. It never looks boring.
The M.A.C. is bigger at 8"H x 11"L x 2.5"D, while the Mini M.A.C. is 6"H x 9"L x 2"D, which in my opinion is sufficient for a trifold wallet, cellphone (mine's an iPhone 5S), a thick cardholder, keys, your basic makeup (a lipbalm stick or concealer) and some tissue and wetwipes.
The bag now comes in color-block (so tempting!) and also comes with different fabric. Jennifer Lawrence is carrying a M.A.C. with perforated details, Reese Witherspoon goes classic with a plain black piece, while Lauren Conrad makes a outfit pop with a bright M.A.C. clutch.
So at the point when this post has been uploaded, my friend C. had already made her purchase of the Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mini Morning After Bag (MAB)! So proud of her purchase! It's too cute!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Have your say!